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They managed to cling on until more police, an ambulance and the coastguard arrived.

Tim, who has no recollection of the incident, has since thanked the two policemen who have told him that had there have been a delay of five more seconds, then the likelihood was that he would now be dead.

Tim Stoodley, 29, was seconds away from going over a cliff

“I have absolutely no memory of it whatsoever and am going off of what police officers told me,” he said. “My psychologist told me I must have been suffering from dissociation order. Soldiers often have it where they won’t remember significant events of trauma and it is thought my emotional trauma set my brain into auto-pilot.

“They checked the records and the ANPRs (automatic number plate recognition) which showed I drove safely and even stopped three times for coffee and to fill up the car. I don’t know why I chose the cliff edge but from what I know I was about five seconds from succeeding in taking my own life.

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“The officer has told me that he had to hold onto my arms while his colleague held his legs to stop me taking him over the top with them. Had the coastguard not got there when they did then I wouldn’t be here now and its likely neither would the two police officers.”

Tim admitted his battle with mental health was often a struggle.

“This is the third time now I have tried to kill myself,” he said. “This is by far the closest I have to come to succeeding though.

Tim Stoodley has battled with mental health problems all of his life

“I feel incredibly guilty as the police officers have told me they couldn’t have held on for much longer and it could have been their families having lost a loved one as well as mine.

“One of the officers was on his first day on the job so I do feel sorry that he had to deal with something like this straightaway. I am incredibly thankful for what they did and having come through it on the other side I am glad I am still here.”

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However, such is Tim's condition that he fears that one day it will all get too much.

“I have no qualms that one day this illness will end up with me taking my own life,” he said. “I hope I am proved wrong but I know that perhaps next time there won’t be a police officer to save me.

“This is the third time and my daughter (Phoebe, aged 6) understands when she comes to the hospital and sees me hooked up to all the machines. I will, though, try to fight it for her and my family but it isn’t easy.”

Tim now wants to share his experience of his battle with mental health to help others.

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He has taken up an ambassadorial role in the charity MindKicks, which aims to use the world of football to get men open about their struggles.

“Whenever I speak about my mental health a lot of women get in touch but men rarely ever do and that annoys me," he added. “Men tend to be ashamed of what they are going through but I have always found being open has meant I have received much better support.

“You don’t choose to suffer from mental health, you are just born with it. If my story can help at least one person then I know it will have been worthwhile.”

If you need confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org for details.